The New Orleans Saints have had little trouble moving the ball in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and lead 17-0 at halftime in a battle for the NFC South division lead. Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been his normal efficient and effective self, completing 17 of 23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman was 10 of 14 in the first half, for 133 yards, but has led the Buccaneers on just one scoring drive, netting three points on a Connor Barth 40 yard field goal.
LeGarrette Blount, back for Tampa Bay after missing two games with a MCL sprain, has carried the ball 8 times for 35 yards. Blount had seven of those carries in the first quarter, a wise move given New Orleans' 24th ranked rushing defense coming into this matchup. However, Blount was only handed the ball once in the second quarter as New Orleans took control and stretched a 7-0 lead after the first quarter to a 14 point halftime lead.
The game was delayed just three plays in, as New Orleans defensive back Tracy Porter was injured making a tackle on Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams. After both players were done for several minutes, Williams was able to jog off the field, but Porter had to be taken off the field on the medical cart.
For more on Tampa Bay, check out SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the Buccaneers vs. Saints showdown, visit this StoryStream. For more on New Orleans, visit SB Nation's Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles.